For a side with abundant talent and ability, it’s been a major surprise that Nomads Lions have been languishing in the foothills of Division One of the Clacton & District League for most of the season.
But they sprung into life this week with an important 8-2 victory in a crucial encounter with relegation rivals Walton E, to record only their second win of the season.
Adam Cuthbert led the way, producing a well-crafted hat-trick, with Adam Wilkin and Jason Lloyd each winning two, and Cuthbert and Wilkin combining to take the doubles. Paul Woolnough and Gary Stallwood were the Walton points-scorers.
The result boosts the Lions’ survival hopes and leap-frogs them over Walton E, and out of the bottom two places.
Elsewhere, lowly Brotherhood B faced a top-three side for the third League match running and again the outcome was the same, losing 10-0, this time to leaders Nomads Panthers. Greg Green, John Hatley and Liam Harris all stayed undefeated, the closest match seeing Harris beat Paul Alden 11-5 in the decider.
Walton A matched their title rivals with a similar 10-0 result, this against Walton B. Gavin Price, Daniel Young and Kevin James were their winning trio on this occasion, Price beating Jason Gale 11-5 in the decider and James defeating Paul Meikle 11-4 in the decider.
Brotherhood A were 8-2 victors over Windsor Hawks, Andy Warner and Kevin Gowlett taking trebles. Gowlett’s three included an 11-8 in the fifth win over John Barton. Martin Edwards won one and combined with Warner to win the doubles, 11-5 in the fifth, against Barton and Felipe Rodriguez. For the Hawks, there was a point each for Rodriguez and Roger Hance, Rodriguez edging past Edwards 3-2 (11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 9-11, 11-7).
Three for Gary Cattermole, two for Phil Smith and one for Sue Welham, plus a doubles success for Cattermole and Smith, were good enough to see Windsor Eagles home 7-3 against Walton C. Peter Burrows won a couple for Walton but lost 11-6 in the fifth to Cattermole. John Marshall picked up the third Walton point, getting the better of Welham 11-7 in the fifth.
In Division Two Martin Scarfe was the only unbeaten player in Brotherhood D’s 8-2 victory against Brotherhood E. Grant Sharpe and Barry Allen each won two but both lost close matches to Kevin Pryor, Pryor beating Sharpe 3-2 (9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9) and Allen 3-2 (9-11, 11-4, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7).
Second-placed Brotherhood C were 9-1 victors against bottom team Windsor Magpies. Russell Hillier and Mark Salter both took trebles, although it was a hard-fought 11-8 in the fifth for Mark Salter against Dave Martin. Tricia Salter won two for the winners.
Lawford stayed on the fringes of the title race, thanks to a 9-1 success against Nomads Bobcats, John Colvin, Jack Cansdale and Charlie Denholm all recording hat-tricks. Cansdale defeated Eric Lemke 11-6 in the fifth, the same score by which Denholm beat Mike Wellum. The Bobcats had the consolation of taking the doubles, Wellum and Lemke defeating Cansdale and Denholm 3-1 (4-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-6).
The all-Windsor clash between the Kestrels and the Buzzards turned out to be a hard-fought affair, a Bob Sawyer maximum proving the bedrock of the Kestrels’ 6-4 success. His treble included an 11-4 in the fifth win against Ray Chillingworth and an 11-9 in the fifth win over Andy Cawley. Colin Beaumont and Debra Found gave good support, both beating Cawley, whilst Sawyer and Beaumont combined to take a vital doubles 3-2 (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 10-12, 11-9) against Chillingworth and Pete Bloomfield. For the Buzzards, there were two each for Chillingworth and Bloomfield, Bloomfield beating Beaumont 11-9 in the decider in the fourth match which went the distance.
In Division Three Windsor Penguins started proceedings level on points in second place with Nomads Pumas but their matches this week brought them contrasting fortunes, the Penguins ending up ten points to the good over their rivals for the runners-up spot.
The Penguins enjoyed a comfortable 10-0 victory over a two-player Nomads Ocelots, but Nomads Pumas found themselves up against leaders Nomads Jaguars and, despite a valiant effort, it was the Jaguars’ trio of Harry Hawkes, Kevin Hume and Doug Green who came out 10-0 winners. The closest match was Hume’s 11-9 in the decider victory over Andrew Cousins, whose three defeats were his first reverses of the season.
Dave Wright and Bob Jillins remained unbeaten as Nomads Leopards defeated Brotherhood F 7-3. Harley Wood, Maci Harvey and Zac Coates all picked up a point for the losers, Coates defeating Adrian Sexton 3-2 (10-12, 10-12, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 in the closest match of the evening).
Walton D defeated Windsor Robins 6-4, Tony Sharman, Maggie Earle and Lynette Sparks all winning two. But none of them could get the better of Bob Bales who took a maximum for the Robins. Only one match was extended to a fifth set, Sparks edging past Mick Coker 11-7 in the fifth.
Finally, there were celebrations in the Windsor Merlins’ camp as they notched up their first win of the season, 6-4 at the expense of a two-player Nomads Lynx. Sharon Gowlett was again their lynch-pin, staying unbeaten and, with Janet Cowie, sharing a crucial 11-4 in the decider doubles victory against Dominic Joannou and Norman Jacobs. Joannou and Jacobs each won two for the Lynx, Jacobs having a tight 11-6 in the fifth win against Diane Self.
* Information about the Closed Championships has been sent to all players. The Championships, sponsored by The Survey Initiative, will be held at the Coastal Academy Sports Hall on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April. Entries can be made on-line or sent by post to Tony Oswick. The closing date is Saturday 28th March. Full details can be found on the League’s website.
* The League is organising a Quiz Night on Saturday 4th April at the Brotherhood Hall, 7.30pm for an 8pm start. It’s £3 per person for teams of up to six, bring your own drink and nibbles. For more details or to book a table, contact Viv or Ferdy Rodriguez on 01255 830951.
RESULTS
Division 1
Brotherhood B 0 Nomads Panthers 10
Walton C 3 Windsor Eagles 7
Walton B 0 Walton A 10
Windsor Hawks 2 Brotherhood A 8
Nomads Lions 8 Walton E 2
Division 2
Brotherhood C 9 Windsor Magpies 1
Nomads Bobcats 1 Lawford 9
Brotherhood D 8 Brotherhood E 2
Windsor Kestrels 6 Windsor Buzzards 4
Division 3
Nomads Jaguars 10 Nomads Pumas 0
Windsor Robins 4 Walton D 6
Windsor Penguins 10 Nomads Ocelots 0
Nomads Leopards 7 Brotherhood F 3
Nomads Lynx 4 Windsor Merlins 6